Investigation clears Berhalter to remain in contention for USMNT job

March 14: Greg Berhalter remains in line to return as head coach of the United States Men's National Team following an investigation into domestic violence allegations.

US Soccer confirmed his eligibility as the investigation confirmed the incident, but cleared Berhalter on the grounds that he correctly described what happened. Berhalter thus remains free to be rehired by the governing body, which would not expose itself to legal risk by doing so.

Giovanni Reyna's parents have sought to influence American football and get better treatment for their son with veiled threats to disclose the domestic violence incident involving Berhalter. Reyna, the 20-year-old son of US national team legend Claudio Reyna, had little playing time during the World Cup and at a post-World Cup leadership conference, Berhalter referenced to disciplinary issues with a player who apologized to his teammates for not having the right attitude or training hard enough.

This infuriated his parents who, in turn, used the past domestic violence incident as a weapon against Berhlather. The investigation revealed that the Reynas were very authoritative in their behavior and US Soccer will review "policies regarding appropriate parental conduct and communications".

In January 1992, Gregg and Rosalind Berhalter rowed and got into a serious altercation outside a bar. The report said: “Our interview and interactions with Mr. Berhalter during this investigation…demonstrate his admission of guilt and his need to account for his actions in January 1992. More critical, perhaps, are the witnesses than we interviewed confirmed that Mr. Berhalter admitted his guilt and his need to account the day after the incident in 1992.

“Witnesses further confirmed that Mr. Berhalter immediately reported the assault to his head coach at UNC the day after the 1992 incident and, on his own initiative, took steps to avoid that it doesn't happen again. As noted, we found no evidence to suggest that Mr. Berhalter again engaged in similar behavior."

The investigation also stated that the 1992 incident "does not preclude an employer from employing Mr. Berhalter. Given that the 1992 incident occurred approximately 31 years ago, and counts given the lack of information or evidence contradicting testimonies or suggesting similar conduct after this 1992 incident, there is no basis to conclude that Mr. Berhalter's employment would create legal risks for any organization."

At the end of this month, caretaker boss Anthony Hudson will lead the United States against Grenada and El Salvador in the crucial final two games of the Concacaf Nations League group stages. The United States is one point behind El Salvador. Only the best team in each group qualifies for the Concacaf Nations League final to be played in June, before the start of the Gold Cup.

US Soccer is looking to appoint both a permanent manager and a sporting director by summer.

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